Ballots for the February 11, 2014 Special Election will be mailed this month to registered voters and must be mailed or dropped off in postage-free ballot drop boxes by election day to be counted.

The Puyallup School District has placed two school levies on the Special Election ballot to fund day-to-day programs and operations, aging facility improvements, and technology upgrades.

The Pierce County Auditor’s Office will mail ballots to registered voters on January 24. Earlier this month, the office sent ballots to military and U.S. citizens overseas.

To be counted, ballots must be postmarked, or deposited in postage-free drop boxes located throughout the community, by February 11. All Washington state elections are vote-by-mail.

Drop boxes are open 24 hours daily. Ballots will continue to be accepted until 8 p.m. on election day. The drop boxes within the school district are located at:

 • Puyallup Library

   324 South Meridian, Puyallup

• South Hill Library

  15420 Meridian Ave. E., Puyallup

• Edgewood City Hall

  2224 104th Ave. E., Edgewood

The deadline to register by mail or online to vote in next month’s Special Election is Monday, January 13. All registrations must be postmarked by this date.

Pierce County residents not yet registered to vote in Washington who miss the mail in and online deadline can register in person from January 14 through February 3.

In-person voter registration is done at the Pierce County Elections Division, 2501 South 35th St., Suite C, Tacoma. The Elections Division is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

To register to vote in Pierce County, applicants must be:

• At least 18 years old by election day.

• A United States citizen and legal Pierce County resident.

• Not under the authority of the Department of Corrections.

• Not disqualified from voting due to a court order.

To learn more about the proposed school levies, visit the school district website at www.puyallup.k12.wa.us. On the top of the Home page, click information links in the 2014 School Levy Election box.

 Qs and As about school levy election

 The following are some frequently asked questions about the proposed school levies that will appear on the February 11, 2014 Special Election ballot.

 Q: What are the election requirements?

 A: Under state law, school levies require a simple majority (50 percent plus one) of “yes” votes to pass.

 Q: Are some residents eligible for tax exemptions?

 A: Yes. Residents who are 61 years of age or older by December 31, 2013 and whose household income is $35,000 or less may qualify for a tax exemption from all or part of the proposed school levies. Regardless of age, residents who have a disability that prevents them from being employed may also qualify for this exemption.

 Q: What happens if the replacement levy fails?

 A: The district would have to reduce its operating budget by 24 percent.

 Q: Where can I learn more?

 A: Visit the school district website at www.puyallup.k12.wa.us.